Compact Folding Surface Apparatuses, Systems, and Methods of Using the Same

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a compact mobile folding surface for use in a plurality of locations. Specifically, the present invention relates to a folding tray for use in a stadium, and more specifically for attaching the present invention on a back of a stadium seat. The present invention optionally has a plurality of handles, a depressed surface, one or more hooks, a locking mechanism, a collapsible storage compartment, and/or a plurality of weight management mechanisms.

This application claims priority to a U.S. Provisional Patent Application filed on Jun. 5, 2013 under Ser. No. 61/956,309 and a U.S. Provisional Patent Application filed on Feb. 7, 2014 under Ser. No. 61/965,775, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mobile folding surface for use in a plurality of locations. Specifically, the present invention relates to a folding tray for use in a stadium, and more specifically for attaching the present invention on a back of a stadium seat. The present invention optionally has a plurality of handles, a depressed surface, one or more hooks, a locking mechanism, a collapsible storage compartment, and/or a plurality of weight management mechanisms.

BACKGROUND

It is, of course, generally known to eat food and drink beverages, especially during events, such as sports events, at stadiums or the like. Commonly, a person is only capable of holding one or two items, such as a food or a beverage, one in each hand. Often, a person has more than a single item to consume, especially when obtaining or holding food, beverages, or other objects for multiple people. Often, a single food item or a beverage may be too large for a person to hold. For example, a plate of nachos may be difficult for a user to hold, especially when sitting in a seat at a stadium watching an event.

However, holding a maximum amount of food, beverages, or other objects can become overly cumbersome in both transportation and consumption of said food and/or beverages. Of course, it is generally known to place a plurality of food, beverages, or other objects onto a surface such as a table, bench, desk, tray, counter, floor, or similar surface known to one skilled in the art. This alleviates any problems with consuming multiple foods and/or beverages because a person can take one food and/or beverage at a time from the surface.

It is also generally known to transport multiple foods and/or beverages to a surface for consumption. A person may make a plurality of trips between the multiple foods and/or beverages and the surface in order to transport the multiple foods and/or beverages without burden. Alternatively, a person may utilize a serving device such as a cart, bag, bowl, plate, tray, conveyor belt, or other serving device known to one skilled in the art.

Commonly, people find themselves in places without access to a serving device or a proper surface on which to consume food and/or beverages. In these cases people commonly use the ground if food, beverages, or other objects are in containers that separate the food, beverages, or other objects from the ground. Additionally, people often use their laps to support food, beverages, or other objects thereon. Not only is balancing food, beverages, or other objects on one's lap difficult, but also having food, beverages, or other objects on one's lap can yield a mess. A need, therefore, exists for apparatuses, systems, and methods that provide a surface for transportation and/or consumption of food and/or beverages.

Often, where a person has a serving device or a surface on which to consume food and/or beverages, the serving device or surface is generally large, difficult to transport, and/or difficult to maneuver. Some serving devices or surfaces can fold in order to save space in transportation and storage. However, folding serving devices and surfaces are often not compact. A need exists for compact foldable apparatuses, systems, and methods for supporting food, beverages, and other objects.

Regularly, when people are consuming food and/or beverages on a surface, food, beverages, or other objects extend a length upwardly away from the surface. Foods such as boxes of candy, popcorn, chips, or other foods and beverages such as beer, soft drinks, water, or other beverages are often tall items. Tall items, unfortunately, are more susceptible to tipping over because of their weight distribution. When an item's center of gravity tips past the boundary of the item, that item is extremely likely to fall over. This, of course, makes transporting and maneuvering food, beverages, or other objects difficult. A need exists for apparatuses, systems, and methods for preventing food, beverages, or other objects from tipping or otherwise falling over.

Additionally, food, beverages, or other objects are known to move according to forces, such as gravity. Commonly, food, beverages, or other objects can shift or otherwise move when a surface or serving device is bumped, shifted, or otherwise moved. Where there are no boundaries to prevent such shifting or movement, food, beverages, or other objects may fall from the surface or serving device. A need exists for apparatuses, systems, and methods that prevent food, beverages, or other objects from falling therefrom.

Often, surfaces or serving devices are not attachable to other structures. This requires holding or otherwise setting up the surfaces or serving devices in order for a person to consume food and/or beverages from a location that is not his or her own lap. A need exists for apparatuses, systems, and methods that may be attached to existing structures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mobile folding surface for use in a plurality of locations. Specifically, the present invention relates to a folding tray for use in a stadium, and more specifically for attaching the present invention on a back of a stadium seat. The present invention optionally has a plurality of handles, a depressed surface, one or more hooks, a locking mechanism, a collapsible storage compartment, and/or a plurality of weight management mechanisms.

To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a tray apparatus is provided. The tray apparatus comprises a first surface having a plurality of sides, a second surface hingedly attached to the first surface, and a collapsible storage component disposed on the first surface and extendable a length away from the first surface.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a tray system is provided. The tray system comprises a tray apparatus comprises a first surface having a plurality of sides, a second surface hingedly attached to the first surface, and a collapsible storage component disposed on the first surface and extendable a length away from the first surface; a structure capable of receiving the tray apparatus; and a plurality of attaching devices to attach said tray apparatus to said structure.

To this end, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a method of using a tray apparatus is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a tray apparatus comprising a first surface having a plurality of sides, a second surface hingedly attached to the first surface, and a collapsible storage component disposed on the first surface and extendable a length away from the first surface; providing a structure capable of receiving the tray apparatus; and attaching the tray apparatus to the structure.

It is, therefore, an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide apparatuses, systems, and methods that provide a surface for transportation and/or consumption of food and/or beverages.

It is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide compact foldable apparatuses, systems, and methods for supporting food, beverages, and other objects thereon.

It is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide apparatuses, systems, and methods for preventing food, beverages, or other objects from tipping or otherwise falling over.

It is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide apparatuses, systems, and methods that prevent food, beverages, or other objects from falling therefrom.

It is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide apparatuses, systems, and methods that may be attached to existing structures.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a compact folding tray in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a bottom piece of the compact folding tray in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a top piece of the compact folding tray in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the compact folding tray in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a compact folding tray in an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a mobile folding surface for use in a plurality of locations. Specifically, the present invention relates to a folding tray for use in a stadium, and more specifically for attaching the present invention on a back of a stadium seat. The present invention optionally has a plurality of handles, a depressed surface, a plurality of hooks, a locking mechanism, a collapsible storage compartment, and a plurality of weight management mechanisms.

Now referring to the figures, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, FIG. 1 illustrates a tray apparatus 10 in a preferred embodiment. The tray apparatus 10 may comprise a first surface 12 and a second surface 14. The first surface 12 and second surface 14 may be made from a sturdy but supportive material such as plastic, metal, rubber, polymer, thermoplastic, or other known material to one skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the first surface 12 and the second surface 14 may be injection molded using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the tray apparatus 10 may have an open configuration wherein the first surface 12 is a distance from the second surface 14. Additionally, the tray apparatus 10 may have a closed configuration wherein the first surface 12 is adjacent the second surface 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the first surface 12 may have a depressed surface 16 disposed therein. The depressed surface 16 may be set in a length away from the first surface 12 and may create a location to place food, beverage, or other objects therein. Because the depressed surface 16 may be a length away from the first surface 12, a lip 18 may be formed. The lip 18 may prevent food, beverage, or other objects placed on the depressed surface 16 from sliding off of the first surface 12. Additionally, the depressed surface may be sectioned to allow a user to separate a plurality of food, beverages, or other objects therein.

In order to support the weight of any food, beverage, or other objects placed on the first surface 12, a plurality of weight management devices 20 may be connected between the first surface 12 and the second surface 14. The plurality of weight management devices 20 may also act to prevent the first surface 12 from rotating too far from the second surface 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of weight management devices 20 may be straps. Of course, the plurality of weight management devices may be in any form of weight support including gears that lock the first surface 12 in place and hold a specified weight; solid rods, chains, or pins in slot joints that pull against the second surface 14 as a result to weight placed on the first surface; legs that may support weight on the first surface 12 from the bottom; arms that attach to or rest on a structure and may horizontally support weight on the first surface 12; or any combination thereof

The first surface 12 may further comprise a collapsible storage compartment 22. The collapsible storage compartment 22 may be cylindrical, polygonal, pyramidal, spherical, or any other shape known to one skilled in the art. Specifically, the collapsible storage compartment 22 may be flush with the first surface 12 on a first end 24 and extend away from the first surface 12, terminating in a second end 26. The collapsible storage compartment 22 may be collapsible, such that the second end 26 of the collapsible storage compartment 22 may be pressed towards and may rest adjacent the first end 24 of the collapsible storage compartment 22. Additionally, the collapsible storage compartment 22 may be inverted, such that the second end 26 of the collapsible storage compartment 22 may be pushed upward through the first end of the collapsible storage compartment 22. In one embodiment, the collapsible storage compartment 22 may be held between the first surface 12 and the second surface 14 when the tray apparatus 10 in is the closed configuration.

In one embodiment, the collapsible storage compartment 22 may be a mesh cylinder, as shown in FIG. 1. The collapsible storage compartment 22 may be used to hold food, beverages, or other object in a lower position than on the first surface 12. Additionally, the collapsible storage compartment 22 may support food, beverages, or other object on multiple sides. Specifically, the collapsible storage compartment 22 may have a length long enough to contain the center of gravity of the food, beverage, or other object disposed therein. This may prevent the food, beverage, or other object from tipping or otherwise falling from the tray apparatus 10. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of collapsible storage compartments 22 may be disposed within the first surface 12. A user may, therefore, hold more than one food, beverage, or other object in a lower position than the first surface 12.

The first surface 12 and second surface 14 may be preferably hingedly attached together such that the first surface 12 may rotate towards and may rest adjacent the second surface 14 in the closed configuration. Of course, the second surface 14 may rotate towards the first surface 12. The first surface 12 may also rotate away from the second surface 14 and rest a distance away from the second surface in the open configuration.

Alternatively, the first surface 12 may be interlocked with the second surface 14 by a gear system. The gear system may allow the first surface 12 to rotate away from the second surface 14 in the open configuration, while additionally supporting weight placed on the first surface 12. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2-3, a plurality of hinges 28 may be disposed on the first surface 12 and the second surface 14. The plurality of hinges 28 may interlock the first surface 12 and the second surface 14 and may allow the first surface 12 and the second surface 14 to rotate about the plurality of hinges 28. Of course, the first surface 12 and the second surface 14 may be otherwise connected by levers, inserts, snaps, straps, or other connection known to one skilled in the art that provides multiple configurations.

The tray apparatus 10 may have a locking mechanism 30 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4. The locking mechanism 30 may be disposed on an end of the second surface 14, but may alternatively be disposed in other locations. The locking mechanism 30 may hold the first surface 12 and the second surface 14 together in the closed configuration. The locking mechanism 30, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 may merely be a hook that may bend to allow the first surface 12 to pass therebelow. Thereafter, the locking mechanism 30 can latch over the first surface 12 and hold it in place. The locking mechanism 30 may bend again to release the first surface 12. Of course, alternate locking mechanisms may be used such as snaps, rope, elastic bands, latches, buckles, buttons, other known locking mechanisms known to one skilled in the art, and any combination thereof.

Shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a plurality of attaching devices 32 may be disposed on a back side of the second surface 14. The attaching devices 32 may be hooks, as shown in FIG. 4, which may latch onto a structure. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the attaching devices 32 may temporarily hook onto the back of a stadium seat 40, such as a hinged fold-up stadium seat typically found in many stadiums around the world, and the tray apparatus 10 may suspend therefrom, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The back side of the second surface 14 may rest against the back of the stadium seat 40, while the first surface 12 may be used to support food, beverages, and/or other objects.

In the preferred embodiment, a user may consume food and/or beverages without placing the food and/or beverages on his or her lap. Additionally, the user may consume food and/or beverages in a location where an eating surface is not provided. The user may rotate the first surface up towards the second surface and lock them in place, when necessary. When the tray apparatus 10 is used in a stadium environment, this may allow other people to move between the stadium seats without interference from the tray apparatus 10.

As seen in FIGS. 1-3, a plurality of handles 34 may be disposed within the first surface 12 and the second surface 14. Preferably, one of the plurality of handles 34 may be disposed in a corner of the first surface 12 as shown in FIG. 2. Additionally, one of the plurality of handles 34 may be disposed in a corner of the second surface 14 as shown in FIG. 3. When the tray apparatus is in the closed configuration, the plurality of handles 34 may be aligned such that a user may place his or her hand, fingers, or other able body part through the first surface 12 and the second surface 14 and around the plurality of handles 34. Of course, the plurality of handles 34 may be placed anywhere on the tray apparatus 10 such above the locking mechanism 30, on only one surface, or any other location.

Of course, the present invention may be utilized in locations other than in a stadium. The attaching devices 32 may be used on many structures such as walls, chairs, laps, the ground, or any other structure where a user needs a surface to hold objects and/or consume food and/or beverages. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the tray apparatus may be more permanently attached to a surface, such as a stadium seat or other like surface. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a tray apparatus 50 is illustrated in an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The tray apparatus 50 may comprise attaching devices 52, such as bolts, for example, that more permanently secure the tray apparatus 50 to a structure. Similar to the example above, the tray apparatus 50 may be bolted to the back of a stadium seat. Each visitor to the stadium may thereby be provided with a surface to place food, beverages, and other objects thereon. Of course, the attaching devices 52 may alternatively be legs, straps, clasps, screws, rivets, nails, and any combination thereof without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. Further, references throughout the specification to “the invention” are nonlimiting, and it should be noted that claim limitations presented herein are not meant to describe the invention as a whole. Moreover, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. 

I claim:
 1. A tray apparatus comprising: a first surface having at least one side, a second surface attached to the first surface on a first side of the second surface, and a collapsible storage component disposed on the first surface and extendable a length away from the first surface.
 2. The tray apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first surface and the second surface have an open configuration, wherein the first surface is disposed a length away from the second surface, and a closed configuration, wherein the first surface is adjacent the second surface.
 3. The tray apparatus of claim 1 wherein the collapsible storage component is a mesh cylinder with an open top.
 4. The tray apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a depressed surface disposed on the first surface.
 5. The tray apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first handle disposed within the first surface and a second handle disposed in the second surface so positioned that the first handle and the second handle align when the first surface is adjacent the second surface.
 6. The tray apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second surface is hingedly attached to the first surface on the first side of the second surface.
 7. The tray apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of hooks disposed on a second side of the second surface for attaching the tray apparatus to a structure.
 8. The tray apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one attaching device disposed on a second side of the second surface for attaching the tray apparatus to a structure.
 9. The tray apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism disposed on a second side of the second surface
 10. The tray apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of weight management devices disposed between the first surface and the second surface.
 11. The tray apparatus of claim 10 wherein the plurality of weight management devices are selected from the group consisting of gears, straps, horizontal arms, vertical legs, solid rods, chains, pins in slot joints, and any combination thereof.
 12. A tray system comprising: a tray apparatus comprising a first surface having at least one side, a second surface attached to the first surface on a first side of the second surface, and a collapsible storage component disposed on the first surface and extendable a length away from the first surface; a structure capable of receiving the tray apparatus; and a plurality of attaching devices for engaging the tray apparatus with the structure.
 13. The tray system of claim 12 wherein the structure is a back of a stadium seat.
 14. The tray system of claim 12 wherein the plurality of attaching devices is selected from the group consisting of hooks, bolts, straps, elastic bands, clasps, screws, rivets, nails, and any combination thereof.
 15. The tray system of claim 12 wherein the first surface and the second surface have an open configuration, wherein the first surface is disposed a length away from the second surface, and a closed configuration, wherein the first surface is adjacent the second surface.
 16. The tray system of claim 12 further comprising a plurality of weight management devices selected from the group consisting of gears, straps, horizontal arms, vertical legs, solid rods, chains, pins in slot joints, and any combination thereof.
 17. A method of using a tray apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: providing a tray apparatus having a first surface having at least one side, a second surface attached to the first surface on a first side of the second surface, and a collapsible storage component disposed on the first surface and extendable a length away from the first surface; providing a structure capable of receiving the tray apparatus; and attaching the tray apparatus to the structure.
 18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of: moving the first surface toward the second surface in a closed configuration; and collapsing the collapsible storage component into the first surface.
 19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of: moving the first surface away from the second surface in an open configuration; and extending the collapsible storage component away from the first surface.
 20. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of: placing an object on the first surface; and placing an object in the collapsible storage component. 